According to the 2025 Forbes ranking, private universities in Spain are gaining increasing influence in the higher education sector. They now account for 20.3% of bachelor’s degree graduates and 52.6% of master’s degree holders. Particularly valued are institutions that maintain strong ties with the business world and support students in entering the job market.
The top 10 include:
1️⃣ IE University (Madrid, Segovia) – Leading the list thanks to its strong tech campus and entrepreneurship programs.
2️⃣ UAX (Alfonso X el Sabio University) – Focused on simulation centers and over 9,600 corporate agreements.
3️⃣ Universidad Pontificia Comillas (Madrid) – Partner of more than 3,000 companies, including Iberdrola and Repsol.
4️⃣ Universidad Europea – Expanding campuses across Spain and collaborating with 12,000 companies.
5️⃣ CUNEF Universidad – Specializing in economics, finance, and law, with international internship opportunities.
6️⃣ CEU San Pablo – Over 9,000 business agreements and a strong focus on career support and entrepreneurship.
7️⃣ Universidad de Deusto – Strong in research and startup incubation (DeustoKabi), partnering with 6,000 companies.
8️⃣ Universitat Ramon Llull (Barcelona) – Home to Esade and La Salle, with well-developed career services.
9️⃣ Universidad de Navarra – Known for its innovation center and advanced research infrastructure.
🔟 Camilo José Cela University – Emphasizing practical and interdisciplinary programs, including AI research in collaboration with AWS.
The top 10 include:
1️⃣ IE University (Madrid, Segovia) – Leading the list thanks to its strong tech campus and entrepreneurship programs.
2️⃣ UAX (Alfonso X el Sabio University) – Focused on simulation centers and over 9,600 corporate agreements.
3️⃣ Universidad Pontificia Comillas (Madrid) – Partner of more than 3,000 companies, including Iberdrola and Repsol.
4️⃣ Universidad Europea – Expanding campuses across Spain and collaborating with 12,000 companies.
5️⃣ CUNEF Universidad – Specializing in economics, finance, and law, with international internship opportunities.
6️⃣ CEU San Pablo – Over 9,000 business agreements and a strong focus on career support and entrepreneurship.
7️⃣ Universidad de Deusto – Strong in research and startup incubation (DeustoKabi), partnering with 6,000 companies.
8️⃣ Universitat Ramon Llull (Barcelona) – Home to Esade and La Salle, with well-developed career services.
9️⃣ Universidad de Navarra – Known for its innovation center and advanced research infrastructure.
🔟 Camilo José Cela University – Emphasizing practical and interdisciplinary programs, including AI research in collaboration with AWS.